The Symbolism Awards for the Day

Dan Savage points to a Washington Post article on cowboy-themed invitations sent out to a fundraiser for Bill Frist's VOLPAC. From the Post article:

The back of the card shows the cowboy from behind with a red flowered handkerchief sticking out of his right pocket. Wait a minute -- wasn't there something about how this used to be some kind of code in the gay community years ago? A way to signal each other in crowded, noisy bars?

Savage, who is clearly an expert in such matters, provides the answer:

It means this: The wearer is advertising himself as a passive partner in a fisting scene. He’s a fistfuckee, in other words.

So at the end of April, Republicans from around the Volunteer State will be showing up at VOLPAC with invitations that symbolize a willingness to have a fist shoved up their ass. I can't think of a more fitting way to accurately describe the way the Republican Party functions today.

Actually, maybe I can. Robert Novak today says that without being led by the ethically challenged Tom DeLay, the Republican-led House has no idea what they're supposed to be doing.